According to multiple sources the Vancouver Giants have signed Casey "The Hyphen" Pierro-Zabotel to a Western Hockey League player contract. The 19-year old forward could be in the lineup as early as Friday night when the Giants host the Chilliwack Bruins.

Pierro-Zabotel is fresh off of leading Canada West to a gold medal at the 2007 Junior A Hockey Challenge where he served as the Captain. Pierro-Zabotel is the current leading scorer for the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL with 15 goals and 12 assists through 17 games. He has been on the Giants 50-man protected list since the Summer of 2006 and Giants management have been hoping to sway his decision since then.

Committed to a hockey scholarship at Michigan Tech, Pierro-Zabotel was unable to achieve the necessary test scores for university entry. He decided to continue playing in the BCHL this fall in hopes of getting the necessary marks to go later this season. The third round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins is now turning to the WHL for what may be his final season of Junior hockey.

The Hyphen will likely wear #17 which has sat dormant since Gilbert Brule left the team for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.